TERA talks about achievements, the Amani and the Lancer

Let's not pull any punches: TERA is an action-MMORPG. The interactive combat looks fresh and exciting and is certainly one of the biggest selling points for the title. En Masse Entertainment wants you to know that it's not just a monster-genocide-simulator. There's much more that you'll be able to do.

One of the best arguments for that are the in-game achievements. Players can gain ranks by exploring, completing quests, PvP success, social achievements (talking to every NPC in the game) and even statistical achievements (like number of potions used or number of deaths). Achievements will also be used to expand the story and unlock journal entries that will enrich their experience.

Along side talk of achievements, we also received additional information regarding the Amani race and the Lancer class of TERA. The Amani are descendants of dragons, which is why they have that "I'm going to kill you now" look. Lancers, well, they use a big lance to stab their opponents. Take a look at these new screens and video to see them in action.

En Masse Entertainment, the company behind the pioneering action MMORPG TERA, is pleased to return this month with another installment of news from the world of TERA. In preparation for the game’s highly anticipated 2011 launch, En Masse provides a look at the integral role of achievements in the TERA player experience, and continues with the next installments in En Masse’s series of race and class features, each of which will spotlight one of the game’s six mythical races and eight unique classes.

Achievements in TERA: Heightening the Player ExperienceTypically, MMO gamers play with the goal of leveling-up, acquiring the best items, and completing quests in order to craft the ultimate character. TERA expands upon this basic player experience with a richly designed achievement system that offers fresh challenges and unexpected rewards. Players can garner acclaim through a wide variety of achievement types, including exploration- and quest-based achievements, PvP achievements, statistical achievements (such as the number of potions consumed or the number of deaths), and even social achievements like talking to every NPC in the game!

In addition to the enriched gameplay, TERA’s achievement system also deepens and expands the game’s story. Achievements provide players the ability to relive plotlines, story settings, and character information—previously experienced by playing through quests and reading NPC text—in a whole new way! As players continue to gain levels and delve deeper into the story, they unlock corresponding story journals one by one, further expanding the rich lore and story of the world of TERA.

Featured Race: Amani“They aren't gonna stab themselves!” —a common amani exclamation
The descendants of dragons, the amani (ah-MAH-nee) are identifiable by their considerable stature, and reptilian features and skin. Enslaved by conquering giants and freed by the goddess Kaia with the help of the castanics, the amani value freedom above all things. They are naturally watchful and slow to trust, but having earned their trust, you will have it until you prove faithless. You really don't want to do that.

Amani are direct in speech and action, honest, candid, and somewhat imperious. They are usually respected, often admired, sometimes feared. No one doubts they will say what they mean, do what they say, and make life very hard on their enemies.
Featured Class: LancerKey attacks in the lancer arsenal are Lance Charge and Onslaught—powerful moves that drive deep into enemy formations. Along with ever more powerful combo attacks, high level lancers boost the defense of party members, weaken their foes’ armor, and draw aggro from all parts of the battlefield, establishing themselves as a dynamic and necessary part of any group.

Scheduled for release in 2011, TERA is under development by Bluehole Studio, and will be released by En Masse Entertainment in North America and Frogster in Europe. We will continue to release more information about the mysterious world of TERA leading up to the game’s launch, so stay tuned!